Principles for Relationships from God's Word by Claudio Consuegra

Screen time…for parents

If, however, he begets a son Who sees all the sins which his father has done, And considers but does not do likewise…He shall surely live! Ezekiel 18:14, 17 (NKJV)

Several times we have talked about how screen time affects children in a negative way. We’ve cited some important research to show that, among other things, teens spend about 9 hours a day on entertainment media, and that excessive screen time can sometimes lead to risky behaviors such as sexting and texting when driving, as well as sleep texting and disrupted sleep.

The research on the effect of media on adults is not as clear. We do know several things. According to Hansa Bhargava[i], a recent Pew Internet Report found that 75% of parents use social media and have an average of about 150 friends on Facebook. This includes adults across age, gender, income and education level. Some 94% post, share, or comment, and 70% say they do it often.

How does this use of media affect the family? Recent research appears to show it probably isn’t good. A small study at Boston Medical Center found that 40 out of 55 adults took out a mobile device almost immediately when they were eating with their kids at a fast food restaurant. In another study, children reported that they felt frustrated and were more likely to act out when their parents were on devices.

Research is clear that when parents don’t spend time talking to babies and toddlers, it creates a major gap in their language skills, which could put them behind their peers in reading and language by third grade. If you spend time in front of media devices and not engaging your children in face to face communication it could have a negative lasting impact on their education and therefore in their future.

So you have been trying to limit your kids’ exposure to media; now it’s time you practice what you preach. Bhargava writes, “My kids and I now have some new rules in our home that apply to everyone, kids and grown-ups — no screen time in the car, at the dinner table, or at bedtime. Hopefully these first steps will help us get to what really matters: good relationships and happy children.